The Kansas APEX Accelerator, based at Wichita State University, has reached a significant milestone in its decade-long history of empowering businesses: the attainment of more than $1 billion in government contract awards for its clients.

With a total dollar amount of contract awards reaching $1,084,113,363, the accelerator has solidified its position as a driving force behind economic growth and innovation in Kansas. Since its inception, the Kansas APEX Accelerator (formerly Kansas PTAC) has aided 4,620 businesses, guiding them through the intricacies of government contracting and facilitating access to funding opportunities.

Boasting an average return on investment of $210 for every dollar invested in the program, the Kansas APEX Accelerator and its cohorts across the nation, recently drew the attention of the U.S. Congress, which has elevated the program’s responsible administrator.

The programs now report to the Department of Defense’s Office of Small Business Programs. This move underscores the program’s significance in advancing the goals of government contracting and fostering innovation within the small business community.

The DoD is actively collaborating with the accelerator to further enhance its performance and expand its reach. In the past 10 years, more than 10,000 individuals have attended Kansas APEX Accelerator training conferences, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the competitive government contracting landscape.

JTM Enterprises, a Wichita-based commercial cleaning business, worked with the APEX Accelerator to become a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.

“The Kansas APEX Accelerator team has been stellar,” said Johnny Wallace, owner of JTM Enterprises. “They put my company in a better swim lane. We rely on the APEX Accelerator team for past pricing and helping with information that will allow us to forecast for the future. They have been, and will continue to be, a great asset.”

Reflecting on the program’s success, Terri Bennett, director of the Kansas APEX Accelerator, attributes its achievement to the dedication and expertise of her team.

"Our team’s unwavering commitment to our clients’ success has been the cornerstone of our achievements," she said. "Their tireless efforts and strategic guidance have enabled businesses across Kansas to secure vital government contracts, driving economic growth and prosperity in our state."

Looking ahead, the Kansas APEX Accelerator remains committed to addressing the evolving needs and challenges faced by its clients, including cybersecurity issues and regulatory compliance. By providing comprehensive support and guidance, the accelerator aims to empower businesses to successfully navigate the complexities of government contracting.

Learn more about the Kansas APEX Accelerator

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Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

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The Kansas APEX Accelerator assists businesses in securing government contracts, providing individualized counseling and informative training seminars about timely contracting issues and the latest guidelines. The accelerator assists in developing a government marketing strategy and identifying agencies as potential target markets. The Accelerator’s web-based bid-matching services assist businesses in identifying government-advertised bidding opportunities from more than 3,000 federal, state and local sites. Counselors provide expertise in reading and understanding government solicitations, completing government registrations and bid preparation by explaining forms, regulations and clauses. For more information visit wichita.edu/ksapex.

This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense through the Office of Small Business Programs. It is funded additionally by Wichita State University, Pittsburg State University, and Johnson County Community College.